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What are Neighborhood Matching Grants?
The Neighborhood Matching Grants Program (NMG) helps Asheville’s neighborhood-based organizations fund various improvement projects by providing a dollar-for-dollar matching grant of up to $5,000. The program is designed to strengthen relationships between neighbors, cultivate the spirit of volunteerism, and create projects for the benefit of their communities.
The City of Asheville’s goal is to:
- Build neighborhood capacity and increase civic participation
- Empower neighborhoods to self-determine improvement projects
- Create and strengthen partnerships between the City and community groups
Who can apply?
Eligible recipients of NMG funds must meet the following requirements:
- Must represent a specific geographic location within Asheville city limits
- Completed or in the process of completing their “Neighborhood Registration Form”
- Are a neighborhood-based organization (Neighborhood Associations, Homeowners Associations, Neighborhood Coalition, and Resident Organizations in Tax Credit Funded Communities)
What types of projects can be funded?
Asheville’s Neighborhood Matching Grants program aims to fund projects or programs that produce shared benefits with the goal of improving the neighborhood’s quality of life. Any project that is submitted must meet the following criteria:
- Be achievable within 12 months on contract execution
- Occur within Asheville’s city limits
- Provide a public benefit and be accessible to all members of the community
- Be planned, organized and implemented by community members
- Must provide a dollar-for-dollar match
- At least 50% of the match must be matched in volunteer hours
- Cash, in-kind donation of goods or services can be used to make up the other 50% match
Neighborhoods are encouraged to submit creative project ideas. There are a variety of projects that can be supported with NMG including: landscaping, murals. community art, cultural festivals, traffic calming, public safety, marketing and branding, organizational development and more.
How can your neighborhood apply?
Applications will be open for submission March 27 – May 27, 2023.
You can apply for a Neighborhood Matching Grant by following these steps:
- Confirm your neighborhood’s eligibility.
- Review the NMG Program Policies.
- Select your neighborhood’s project.
- Submit a completed application.
- Register as a Vendor with the City of Asheville.
Have questions?
eer hours, in-kind donation of goods or services)\
Small businesses are a vital part of Asheville’s economy: sustaining jobs, adding to our unique culture and innovating.
Small Business Shoutout Challenge
Each day of Small Business Week, give a shoutout on social media to local small businesses you interact with or whose support you count on. These could be small businesses you rely on for your business operations, small businesses you love or companies you partner with. Tag the business and use hashtags #smallbusinessshoutout #avlchamber #avlsmallbiz
Small Business Week Events
Please click the links below to register for each event.
- Tuesday, May 16, Policy on Tap & WomanUP in Action, Part II, 3:30-5 p.m. at White Labs – Register
Policy on Tap teams up with WomanUP for the second in our WomanUP In Action series to talk about the business and economic impacts of childcare for families and businesses of Buncombe County. Hear from a Wells Fargo economist, who will share highlights from a recent report on the importance of childcare to families and to businesses and the need for public and private investments in the childcare system. Local employers will also share their experiences.
- Wednesday, May 17, Smart Series: Everyone Knows Marketing Sucks, 12-1 p.m. – Register
Many people avoid, dread, and even hate marketing, but why? Oftentimes it’s because their understanding of marketing is out of date. Marketing has evolved to become something else in the modern world and brands must let go of the old marketing paradigms and embrace the new. Take a leap of faith and learn to fall in love with marketing! Discover ways in which your marketing can be a powerful voice in the world for your brand and the people you serve. - Thursday, May 18, Sky High Growth Awards, 4-6 p.m. Sierra Nevada Brewing – RegisterThe Sky High Growth Awards honor the determination and accomplishments of Asheville’s businesses. Honorees are companies experiencing growth and contributing to our local economy through innovation and hard work. A stand-up reception style event with plenty of opportunity for making new connections and engaging conversation.